3d Rising - Player Evaluations from 3d Lacrosse, 4/23

3d Lacrosse specializes in superior training for individuals and teams and operates events and tournaments as well as select travel teams. The organization, founded by former Division I coach Jamie Munro, assists players and coaches using a compre­hen­sive system of lacrosse development that exposes young players to the tactics and strategies implemented at the NCAA level. 3d Lacrosse applies the "Box/Field Hybrid™ Development System," which Munro pioneered at the University of Denver.

LaxPower will carrying periodic player reports from 3d Lacrosse. Field staff attend high school games around the country and provide player evaluations and ratings. The ratings are either legit (likely a Division I scholarship player), player (likely a Division I recruit), and watch list (has the potential to be a Division I player; need to see more, needs to grow, mature, or develop to be sure-fire D1).

This report covers players on seven high school teams in update New York.

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Cicero-North Syracuse High School

If two recent games are any indication of where the Cicero-North Syracuse team is going this spring, they're going to be around for all four quarters. Their record is 3-1, but two of their games were a close 7-6 loss to defending Section III champion Liverpool and a late, come-from-behind 11-10 win over Section IV's Binghamton over spring break. While they may not be as deep as some other programs they'll face, they've got talent at every position and everyone seems to know their role if the team is going to succeed.

The Northstars' offense runs through Tyler, and the left-handed attackman showed he can shoot with time and space or dodge his man from GLE with a strong inside roll. Tyler can also find open teammates, making him a true triple–threat attackman. He can also win the ground ball battle and is fast and aggressive on the ride. Tyler led his team in scoring with two goals and two assists against Binghamton.

Bryan kept his team in the game against rival Liverpool, recording 24 saves in defeat. He followed that up by registering 18 saves in the one-goal win over Binghamton. After four games, he's made 57 saves and allowed just 19 goals (75.0%). The tall right-hander can make saves high, low, off-stick – you name it. He's also smart on the clear, taking his time when he has it and carrying the ball confidently up field when he doesn't. The one time he carried the ball over the midfield line against Binghamton, he made an accurate pass to an open attackman who earned Bryan an assist as he blasted the ball from the goalie's left side.

Tom is a starting middie who is always a threat to go to the goal. The righty doesn't need more than a step to get his hands and stick free for a shot on the run. He also is a big shooting threat on the Northstars' extra-man unit. He finished with two goals and one assist against Binghamton.

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West Genesee High School

After opening its 2013 season with a 5-3 inter-section win over Section V's Penfield, West Genesee opened its Section III schedule against Fayetteville-Manlius, probably the Wildcats' most respected rivals. West Genesee looked impressive in the first quarter as they opened a 3-0 lead, but F-M clawed their way back to tie it at three at the half and then win the third quarter two to one and the fourth one to nothing. Is their need for panic in Camillus? Probably not. It's early, and coaches Mike Messere and Bob Deegan will work their usual magic and get this team to play at a higher level as the season progresses. Case in point – WG had many good scoring chances, but often missed the net entirely. If they can put even half those shots on goal, they'll fare much better.

Matt looks like he'll be a capable replacement for 2012 starter Scott Sidnam, now starting for #14 Ithaca. He looked very sharp even in losses to F-M and Liverpool, giving up most goals that were shot from his doorstep. He recorded 12 saves in the F-M loss, his best statistical game, and his save percentage sits at 62.8% after three games. He made saves down low, up high, and off-stick, and his clearing passes were spot on, every time. When carrying the ball up field, he looked off an open long stick on a two-on-one to his right and threw the ball to an open short stick to his left instead.